US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss ending the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting followed talks in Oslo, Norway, where Witkoff held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Norway and Finland. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks with Zelensky as positive, while other reports characterized them as constructive. During the visit to Russia, Witkoff presented Putin with an updated peace proposal as Washington seeks to revive efforts to end the war.
President Putin told Witkoff that Moscow is willing in principle to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, officials would be ready to resume these peace negotiations after November 10. During their meeting, Putin asked Witkoff to set out the results of his previous discussions with Ukrainian and European leaders.
The proposed negotiations will focus on building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends. President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine supports the US proposal for these three-way talks at the level of negotiators, preferably by early November. However, despite the agreement to resume talks, reports suggest Moscow may be sticking to its maximalist demands.